Laser-contrasted golf club head and manufacturing process

ABSTRACT

A golf club head having a laser-generated features to create contrast on the club face of the golf club head. The club face includes a central region, a toe region, and a heel region. The central region includes a first plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the central region, a width-intersection coverage of the central region, and a surface-area coverage of the central region. The toe region includes a second plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the toe region, a width-intersection coverage of the toe region, and a surface-area coverage of the toe region. The heel region includes a third plurality of laser-generated features that provide a height-intersection coverage of the heel region, a width-intersection coverage of the heel region, and a surface-area coverage of the heel region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/525,231 filed Nov. 12, 2021, entitled “Laser-Contrasted Golf ClubHead and Manufacturing Process,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/901,876 filed Jun. 15, 2020, entitled“Laser-Contrasted Golf Club Head and Manufacturing Process,” which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

A golf club head includes a “sweet spot” that is the optimal point forwhich a golf ball should be struck by the golf club head to produce thebest results. The size and location of the sweet spot may changedepending on the particular golf club head. A golf club head alsoincludes other characteristics, such as loft, bulge, and roll. The loftof a golf club head is the angle formed by the intersection of the planeof the clubface and the line of the shaft. The bulge of the club face isthe curvature of the club face from the heel to the toe, and the roll ofthe club face is the curvature of the club face from the crown to thesole.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the technology relates to a golf club head that includes acrown, a sole, and a club face, attached to the crown and the sole. Theclub face includes a central region, a toe region, and a heel region.The central region includes a first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures that provide at least one of a height-intersection coverage ofthe central region of at least 80%, a width-intersection coverage of thecentral region of at least 80%, or a surface-area coverage of thecentral region of at least 25%. The toe region includes a secondplurality of laser-generated features that provide at least one of aheight-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least 50%, awidth-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least 50%, or asurface-area coverage of the toe region of at least 25%. The heel regionincludes a third plurality of laser-generated features that provide atleast one of a height-intersection coverage of the heel region of atleast 50%, a width-intersection coverage of at least 50%, or asurface-area coverage of the heel region of at least 25%.

In an example, the height-intersection coverage of the central region isat least 90% and the width-intersection coverage of the central regionis at least 90%. In another example, the surface-area coverage of thecentral region is at least 25%. In still another example, thesurface-area coverage of the central region is at least 50%. In yetanother example, the club face has a maximum width in a heel-to-toedirection, and the central region has a maximum width between 30-50% ofthe maximum width of the club face. In a further example, the firstplurality of laser-generated features is covered with a physical vapordeposition (PVD) coating.

In another example, the second plurality of laser-generated features isnot covered with a PVD coating. In a further example, the PVD coating isa dark coating, and the first plurality of laser-generated featuresappear darker than the second plurality of laser-generated features dueto the PVD coating covering the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures, thereby creating contrast between the central region and thetoe region. In still another example, a portion of the first pluralityof laser-engraved features is covered by crown paint.

In another example, the technology relates to a golf club head includinga crown, a sole, and a club face, attached to the crown and the sole,including a central region, a toe region, and a heel region. The centralregion includes a first plurality of laser-generated features thatprovide at least two of a height-intersection coverage of the centralregion of at least 90%, a width-intersection coverage of the centralregion of at least 90%, or a surface-area coverage of the central regionof at least 25%. The toe region includes a second plurality oflaser-generated features that provide at least two of aheight-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least 60%, awidth-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least 60%, or asurface-area coverage of the toe region of at least 10%. The heel regionincludes a third plurality of laser-generated features that provide atleast two of a height-intersection coverage of the heel region of atleast 60%, a width-intersection coverage of at least 60%, or asurface-area coverage of the heel region of at least 10%.

In an example, the height-intersection coverage of the central region isat least 90% and the width-intersection coverage of the central regionis at least 90%. In another example, the surface-area coverage of thecentral region is at least 50%. In still another example, the firstplurality of laser-generated features is covered with a physical vapordeposition (PVD) coating; the second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures is not covered with a PVD coating; and the first plurality oflaser-generated features appear darker than the second plurality oflaser-generated features due to the PVD coating covering the firstplurality of laser-generated features, thereby creating contrast betweenthe central region and the toe region. In yet another example, the firstplurality of laser-generated features is a first color and the secondplurality of laser-generated features is a second color.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a method for manufacturinga golf club head. The method includes generating, by one or more lasers,a first plurality of laser-generated features on a central region of aclub face, wherein the first plurality of laser-generated featuresprovide at least one of a height-intersection coverage of the centralregion of at least 80%, a width-intersection coverage of the centralregion of at least 80%, or a surface-area coverage of the central regionof at least 50%. The method also includes applying a coating to the clubface such that the coating covers the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures. The method further includes generating, by the one or morelasers, a second plurality of laser-generated features on a toe regionof the club face, wherein generating the second plurality oflaser-generated features removes portions of the coating on the toeregion; and generating, by the one more lasers, a third plurality oflaser-generated features on a heel region of the club face, whereingenerating the second plurality of laser-generated features removesportions of the coating on the heel region.

In an example, the coating is a PVD coating and the first plurality oflaser-generated features appear darker than the second plurality oflaser-generated features, thereby creating contrast between the centralregion and the toe region. In another example, the first plurality oflaser-generated features and the second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures is generated from the same laser. In a further example, theheight-intersection coverage of the central region is at least 90% andthe width-intersection coverage of the central region is at least 90%.In still another example, the surface-area coverage of the centralregion is at least 15%. In yet another example, the method furtherincludes painting a crown of the golf club head such that a portion ofthe first plurality of laser-generated features is covered by the paint.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples are described with reference tothe following Figures.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of a golf club head.

FIG. 2 depicts an example golf club head having a club face withlaser-generated features.

FIGS. 3A-3F depict example golf club heads having club faces withlaser-generated features.

FIG. 4 depicts an example manufacturing method for manufacturing a golfclub head with laser-generated features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Understanding and seeing how a tool or sporting equipment, such as agolf club, is to be used increases the effectiveness of the tool. Forinstance, being able to see where a tool is in relation to an object tobe struck is beneficial. Being able to see other aspects orcharacteristics of the impact surface is also useful in operating thetool. Seeing such features becomes particularly challenging, however,when the impact surface of the tool is difficult to see during use orcan be seen only from a slight angle during use.

With a golf club, the impact surface is the club face of the golf clubhead. When a player addresses a golf ball with a golf club, the playeris looking down at the golf club head and can clearly see the crown ofthe golf club head. For a driver or other low-loft golf club, however,the striking face is viewed at a narrow angle that causes difficulty inviewing the club face. Thus, properly perceiving the characteristics orfeatures of the club face, such as the location of the sweet spot, theloft of the club face, the bulge of the club face, and/or the roll ofthe club face is challenging. Accordingly, players may struggle toproperly align the golf club and ultimately properly strike the golfball, resulting in lesser performance of the golf club head.

Examples of the present technology provide for laser-generated featuresthat provide enhanced visual indicators of the characteristics of theclub face, such as the sweet spot or optimal striking area. Thus, theplayer's ability to properly align the golf club head with the golf ballis enhanced, and the utility of the golf club head is improved. Thelaser-engraving and/or laser-marking process may also provide contrastbetween regions of the club face and/or contrast between the club faceand the crown. The contrast may have an effect of improving the player'sability to see loft, bulge, and/or roll of the club face, which mayimprove the player's biomechanical response when using the golf clubhead—leading to further improved results.

The laser-generated features and contrast of the club face may beachieved through a combination of manufacturing processes. For example,the manufacturing process may include providing a coating or finish,such as a physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating, to the club face. Thecoating may darken the club face. Laser-generated features may begenerated before and after the application of the coating. When thelaser-generated features are applied subsequent to the coating, a laserengraving process removes the coating, which results in lightenedfeatures of the club face compared to the remainder of the clubfeatures. In other examples, the club face may not have a coating, andthe laser-engraving or laser-marking process may be used to createdarkened features on the club face. In either example, improvements tomanufacturing processes may be achieved. For example, othermanufacturing processes utilize masks prior to applying a PVD coating.The masking process is susceptible to human error in alignment of themask. The masking process also introduces contamination into the PVDchamber, which leads to lower yields and potentially lower quality partsor components. With the laser-engraving and laser-marking processdiscussed herein, the masking process is no longer necessary. Inaddition, the laser engraving process allows for a more efficient andmore precise process than the masking process.

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of an example of a golf clubhead 100. The golf club head 100 includes a club face 102, a crown 104,and a sole 106. The club face 102 may comprise any type of club face,such as a face insert, a face cup, an L-cup, a C-cup, or otherconstruction, without departing from the scope and content of thepresent disclosure. The club face 102 may be made from a titanium alloyor other metal. The crown 104 forms the top portion of the club head 100and is generally made of a rigid material, such as a metal or a rigidcomposite. The crown 104 has an outer crown surface 122 and an innercrown surface 120. The sole 106 forms the bottom, or underside, portionof the golf club head 100 and is generally also made of a rigidmaterial, such as a metal or a rigid composite. The sole 106 has anouter sole surface 116 and an inner sole surface 118. The crown 104,sole 106, and club face 102, when fitted together, define an interiorvoid within the golf club head 100. The outer crown surface 122 and theouter sole surface 116 may also be coated with additional substances,such as paints, coatings or films. In addition, further structures ormaterials may also be attached to the outer crown surface 122 and theouter sole surface 116. Similarly, the inner crown surface 120 and theinner sole surface 118 may also be coated with additional substances,such as paints or coatings. The inner crown surface 120 and the innersole surface 118 may also have structural materials, such as ribs orother components, attached to the surfaces. The golf club head 100 mayalso include a hosel 108 having components for attaching a shaft 110, asis well-understood by those having skill in the art. As used herein, the“heel” portion of the golf club is the portion of the golf club locatedclosest to the hosel 108 and the “toe” portion of the golf club is theportion of the golf club furthest away from the hosel 108. While thefigures generally depict a driver, the technology discussed herein isequally applicable to fairway metals, hybrid clubs, and other similarclubs containing both a crown, a club face, and a sole.

The club face 102 of the present technology includes one or morelaser-generated features 124. The laser-generated features 124 may begenerated through laser engraving, laser etching, and/or laser marking,as discussed further below. The laser-generated features 124 of thestriking face provide an indication of the optimal locations on the clubface 102 where a golf ball should be struck. For instance, the club face102 has a “sweet spot” 126. The sweet spot 126 of the club face is theengineered best or optimal position for a golf ball strike to occur. Thelocation, size, and shape of the sweet spot 126 may depend on theparticular design of the golf club head 100. In some examples, the sweetspot 126 may be located in the geometric center of the striking face. Inother examples, the sweet spot 126 may be located at a center point ofthe club face 102 between the toe portion and the heel portion, but thesweet spot 126 may be offset from a center point between the crown 104and the sole 106. In different examples, the sweet spot 126 may belocated at a center point between the crown 104 and the sole 106, butthe sweet spot 126 may be offset from a center point between the toeportion and the heel portion. Other positions of locations of the sweetspot 126 are also possible.

In any of the preceding examples, the sweet spot 126 is located in acentral region 128 of the club face 102. The central region 128 may beapproximately the central third of the club face 102. A toe region 132is located towards the toe portion of the club head 100 and adjacent tothe central region 128. A heel region 130 is located towards the heelportion of the club head 100 and adjacent the central region 128. Thelaser-generated features 124 may be included in the heel region 130, thecentral region 128, and/or the toe region 132. The laser-generatedfeatures 124 are provided on the club face 102 to visually indicate thecentral region 128 of the club face 102. In some examples, the locationof the sweet spot 126 may also be identified by the laser-generatedfeatures 124. The laser-generated features 124 may positively identifythe central region 128 and/or sweet spot 126 by included laser-generatedfeatures 124 in those areas or to define the boundaries of those areas.The laser-generated features 124 may also be used to negatively identifythe central region 128 and/or sweet spot 126 by includinglaser-generated features 124 in portions or regions of the club face 102other than the central region 128 and/or sweet spot 126. For instance,in the example depicted in FIG. 1, laser-generated features 124 may beprovided in the toe region 132 and the heel region 130 but not in thecentral region 128. In other examples, a first type of engraved featureor features may be included in the central region 128 and a second typeof laser-generated features 124 may be provided in the toe region 132and the heel region 130. In contrast to grooves or scorelines of theclub head (not depicted), in some examples, the laser-generated features124 may have little to no effect on the flight of a golf ball that isstruck by the club head 100. That is, the depth of the laser-generatedfeatures 124 may be extremely small in comparison to a groove orscoreline.

FIG. 2 depicts an example golf club head 200 having a club face 202 withlaser-generated features 224A-C. The golf club head has crown 204, asole 206, a hosel 208, and a club face 202. The club face 202 has amaximum width W that is measured in a toe-to-heel direction parallel tothe ground plane when the club is at address. The club face 202 also hasa maximum height H, which is a maximum distance between two points onthe face along a line orthogonal to the ground plane when club is ataddress. The width W and height H depicted in FIG. 2 indicate themeasurement directions but may not be actual measurements of the clubface 202. The club face 202 includes a central region 228, a heel region230, and a toe region 232. The central region 228 may compriseapproximately a central third of the club face 202. For example, themaximum width of the central region may be approximately one-third ofthe maximum width W of the club face 202. In other examples, the centralregion 228 may have a maximum width of at least 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% ofthe width W of the club face 202. The maximum width of the centralregion 228 may be between 30-50% of the width W of the club face 202.The heel region 230 and the toe region 232 may have the same maximumwidth, which may be equal to half of the remaining width W of the clubface 202 not comprised by the central region 228. The central region 228extends the entire height H of the club face 202. Due to the shape ofthe club face 202, the heel region 230 and the toe region 232 may haveheights that are less than the maximum height H of the club face 202.

The club face 202 includes a coating or finish, such as a physical vapordeposition (PVD) coating, which is indicated by the speckled dots on theclub face 202. The coating may be applied before and/or after generatingthe laser-generated features 224A-C. When the laser-generated features224A-C are generated subsequent to the coating being applied to theface, generating the laser-generated features 224A-C may includeremoving or vaporizing a portion of the coating.

The club face 202 includes a plurality of laser-generated features224A-C that create contrast across the club face 202. The firstplurality of laser-generated features 224A are included in the centralregion 228 of the club face 202. The first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 224A are in the shape of diamonds; however, other shapes anddesigns are also possible. In examples, the particular shape of thefeatures may be based on aesthetic choices. The first plurality oflaser-generated features 224A may be generated before or after theapplication of the coating, such as a PVD coating. The laser process togenerate the first plurality of laser-generated features 224A may alsocause the laser-generated features 224A to be a particular color, suchas blue. The first plurality of laser-generated features 224A may extendunder the paint or coating of the crown 204. For instance, the firstplurality of laser-generated features 224A may be provided on a regionof the golf club head 200 that is later painted, coated, or covered withthe same paint, coating, or covering that is used for the crown 204.

The first plurality of laser-generated features 224A are included acrossalmost the entirety of the central region 228. Thus, the first pluralityof laser-generated features 224A provide an aggregate contrast for thecentral region 228 as compared to the toe region 232 and the heel region230. As an example, the first plurality of laser-generated features 224Amay cover at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the central region 228.By increasing the coverage of the central region 228 by the firstplurality of laser-generated features 224A, the contrast effect isfurther enhanced, and the utility of the golf club is increased thuscausing an improvement of the performance of the golf club head.

The coverage of the central region by the first plurality oflaser-generated features 224A may be measured in multiple differentmanners. For example, an intersection-measurement method may be usedwhere a determination is made at each height and/or width incrementwhether there is a laser-generated feature 224A. In aheight-intersection measurement method, a determination is made for eachheight increment in the total height of the region whether there is alaser-generated feature 224A at the particular height increment. Theheight increment may be 1 mm or less, such as 0.1 mm. If there is alaser-generated feature 224A at the particular height increment, thenthe central region 228 is considered covered at that particular heightincrement. The coverage according to the height-intersection measurementmethod is the number of height increments that include a laser-generatedfeature 224A as compared to the total number of height increments, andsuch coverage is referred to herein as a height-intersection coverage.The height-intersection coverage may be expressed in the form of apercentage, fraction, or decimal expression. In the example depicted inFIG. 2, the only heights at which the central region 228 is not coveredby the first plurality of laser-generated features 224A are heights ofthe club face 202 very near the sole. Accordingly, theheight-intersection coverage of the central region 228 is at least 98%.In other examples, the height-intersection coverage of the centralregion 228 may be greater than 80%, 90%, or 95%, among other values.

A width-intersection measurement method may also be used. In awidth-intersection measurement method, a determination is made for eachwidth increment in the total width of the region whether there is alaser-generated feature 224A. The width increment may be 1 mm or less,such as 0.01 mm. If there is a laser-generated feature 224A at theparticular width increment, then the central region 228 is consideredcovered at that particular width increment. The coverage according tothe width-intersection measurement method is the number of widthincrements that include a laser-generated feature 224A as compared tothe total number of width increments, and such coverage is referred toherein as a width-intersection coverage. The width-intersection coveragemay be expressed in the form of a percentage, fraction, or decimalexpression. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, each width increment ofthe central region 228 includes a laser-generated feature 224A.Accordingly, the width-intersection coverage of the central region 228is 100%. In other examples, the width-intersection coverage of thecentral region 228 may be greater than 80%, 90%, or 95%, among othervalues.

A surface-area measurement method may also be used. In a surface-areameasurement method, the surface area of the central region 228 thatcomprises a laser-generated feature 224A is compared to the totalsurface area of the central region 228. For instance, the surface areathat has been laser marked, etched, and/or engraved is compared to thetotal surface area for the region. The coverage may be expressed in theform of a percentage, a fraction, or decimal expression, and suchcoverage is referred to herein as surface-area coverage. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 2, the surface-area coverage is less than thewidth-intersection coverage or the height-intersection coverage due tothe width lines of the diamond pattern used. Thus, the surface-areacoverage for the central region 228 may be greater than approximately25%. The surface-area coverage changes based on the pattern of the firstplurality of laser-generated features 224A and the line thickness of thefeatures. For instance, in other examples, the surface-area coverage forthe central region 228 may be at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% or greater.

The toe region 232 and the heel region 230 also include a secondplurality of laser-generated features 224B and a third plurality oflaser-generated features 224C. The second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 224B may comprise spear-shaped features that point in aheel-to-toe direction. The third plurality of laser-generated features224C may comprise line segments that run in a heel-to-toe direction. Thethird plurality of laser-generated features 224C may extend under thepaint or coating of the crown 204. For instance, the third plurality oflaser-generated features 224C may be provided on a region of the golfclub head 200 that is later painted, coated, or covered with the samepaint, coating, or covering that is used for the crown 204. The thirdplurality of laser-generated features 224C may also include a band thatis contoured to match the shape of the lower boundary of the club face202. That band may be offset from the perimeter of the club face 202 byan offset distance. The offset distance may be less than 5 mm, such as 2mm. The offset may be from the perimeter of the club face 202 or fromthe edge of the club face area that is finished or coated, such as by abrushing process.

In examples, the particular shape of the laser-generated features224B-C, such as a spear-shape, may be chosen based on aesthetic designchoices. The overall contrast effect of the combination and coverage ofthe laser-generated features 224A-C, however, provides a functionalbenefit to the golf club head, as discussed above. The second pluralityof laser-generated features 224B and the third plurality oflaser-generated features 224C may be generated before and/or after thecoating is applied to the club face 202. The coverage of toe region 232and the heel region 230 by the laser-generated features 224B-C may bedetermined using the height-intersection measurement method, thewidth-intersection measurement method, and/or the surface-areameasurement method. A height-intersection coverage, width-intersectioncoverage, and a surface-area coverage may be determined for the entireclub face as well.

In one example for manufacturing the club face depicted in FIG. 2, thefirst plurality of laser-generated features 224A may be generated (e.g.,laser engraved, etched, and/or marked) prior to the application of ablack PVD coating. The second plurality of laser-generated features 224Band the third plurality of laser-generated features 224C may generatedafter the application of the black PVD coating. In other examples, allthe laser-generated features 224A-C may be generated before or after thePVD coating. In yet other examples, a PVD coating may be applied only tothe central region 228 or the toe region 232 and the heel region 230. Instill other examples, the PVD coating may not be applied. Generatinglaser-generated features prior to the PVD coating may result in darkerlaser-generated features after they are coated with the dark PVDcoating. Conversely, generating the laser-generated features subsequentto the application of the PVD coating may result in lighterlaser-generated features. Thus, by having the laser-generated featuresin the center portion be generated prior to the PVD coating and havingthe laser-generated features in the toe portion and the heel portiongenerated after the PVD coating, additional contrast between the centerregion and the toe and heel regions may be achieved, which results inimproved functionality of the golf club head.

Some example combinations of height-intersection coverage,width-intersection coverage, and surface area coverage are provided inthe tables below.

Example Club 1 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >95% >97% >10% CentralRegion >95% 100% >15% Toe Region >60% >95%  >5% Heel Region >60% >95% >5%

Example Club 2 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >95% >97% >10% CentralRegion >95% >95% >15% Toe Region >95% >60%  >5% Heel Region >95% >60% >5%

Example Club 3 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >95% >97% >25% CentralRegion >95% 100% >40% Toe Region >60% >95% >10% Heel Region >60% >95%>10%

Example Club 4 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >90% >90% >25% CentralRegion >90% >90% >40% Toe Region >90% >60% >10% Heel Region >90% >60%>10%

Example Club 5 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >90% >90% >30% CentralRegion >90% >90% >60% Toe Region >60% >90% >20% Heel Region >60% >90%>20%

Example Club 6 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >95% >97% >30% CentralRegion >95% >95% >60% Toe Region >95% >60% >20% Heel Region >95% >60%>20%

Example Club 7 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >60% >60% >25% CentralRegion >80% >80% >40% Toe Region >40% >40% >10% Heel Region >40% >40%>10%

Example Club 8 Height-Intersection Width-Intersection Surface-Area FaceRegion Coverage Coverage Coverage Entire Face >50% >50% >10% CentralRegion >50% >30% >15% Toe Region >30% >30%  >5% Heel Region >30% >30% >5%

FIGS. 3A-3F depict example golf club heads 300 having club faces withlaser-generated features 324. Each of the golf club heads 300 include aclub face 302, a crown 304, a sole 306, and a hosel 308. Thelaser-generated features 324 in each of the club faces 302, however,differ and provide a different contrast effect for the overall club face302. The coverage of the club face 302 by the laser-generated features324 may be within the ranges discussed above and in the above tables.

The example club face 302 of FIG. 3A includes laser-generated features324 that are similar to the laser-generated features of the example golfclub head 200 depicted in FIG. 2. For instance, the club face 302 inFIG. 3A includes a first plurality of laser-generated features 324A in acentral region 328 of the club face 302. Rather than a diamond shape,the first plurality of laser-generated features 324A have an angled orchevron pattern. The club face 302 also includes a second plurality oflaser-generated features 324B and a third plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 324C that are substantially similar to the second plurality oflaser-generated features 224B and a third plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 224C discussed above with respect to FIG. 2. The club face 302further includes a fourth laser-engraved feature 324D, which may be alogo or other indicia. The fourth laser-engraved feature 324D may begenerated before or after the coating is applied.

FIG. 3B depicts another example club face 302 with a first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A and second laser-generated feature 324B.The first plurality of the laser-generated features 324A include linesthat extend across the club face 302 in a heel-to-toe direction. Thethickness of the first plurality of the laser-generated features 324(e.g, the line thickness) may vary based on the position of the linesrelative to the crown 304 and the sole 306. For instance, the firstplurality of the laser-generated features 324A near the crown 304 arethicker than the first plurality of the laser-generated features 324near the sole 306. The thickness of the laser-generated feature 324Anearest the crown 304 may be 0.4 mm and the thickness of thelaser-generated feature nearest the sole 306 may be 0.1 mm. The ratiobetween the thickest laser-generated feature 324A and the thinnestlaser-generated feature 324B may be between 2:1 to 6:1. In otherexamples, the change in thickness may be reversed such that the thinnestlaser-generated feature 324A is near the crown 304 and the thickestlaser-generated feature 324A is near the sole 306. The inclusion of thefirst plurality of laser-generated features may improve thefunctionality of the golf club head by allowing the player to betterperceive the characteristics of the golf club head 300, such as theloft, bulge, and roll of the golf club head. The second laser-generatedfeature 324B may be a logo or other indicia. The first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A do not overlap with the secondlaser-generated feature 324B.

FIG. 3C depicts another example club face 302 with a first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A and a second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 324B. The first plurality of laser-generated features 324A arelocated in a central region 328 of the club face 302. The firstplurality of laser-generated features 324A are formed as lines runningin a crown-to-sole direction. The thickness of the first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A may decrease from the crown 304 towardsthe sole 306. Thus, the thinnest portion of each of the laser-generatedfeatures 324A may be at a point nearest the sole 306 and thickestportion of each of the laser-generated features 324A may be at a pointnearest the crown 304. The toe region 332 and the heel region 330include a second plurality of laser-generated features 324B. The secondplurality of laser-generated features 324B are substantially similar tothe first plurality of laser-generated features depicted in FIG. 3B anddescribed above. The central region 328 also includes a thirdlaser-generated feature 324C that may be a logo or other indicia. Thethird laser-generated feature 324C may located at or near the sweet spotof the golf club to indicate the location of the sweet spot.

FIG. 3D depicts another example club face 302 with a first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A that are substantially similar to thefirst plurality of laser-generated features 324A depicted in FIG. 3B anddiscussed above. The club face 302 also includes a second plurality oflaser-generated features 324B and a third plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 324C. The second plurality of laser-generated features 324B mayextend in multiple directions and be located to help identify thecentral region. The third plurality of laser-generated features 324C maybe formed to appear more akin grooves or score lines of the golf clubhead 300. A fourth laser-generated feature 324D may be located at thesweet spot to indicate the location of the sweet spot.

FIG. 3E depicts another example club face 302 having a first pluralityof laser-generated features 324A, a second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 324B, and a third laser-generated feature 324C. The firstplurality of laser-generated features 324A may be similar to the firstplurality of laser-generated features 324A depicted in FIG. 3B anddiscussed above. The first plurality of laser-generated features 324A inFIG. 3E, however, may have a consistent line thickness. The secondplurality of laser-generated features 324B extend in a first directionin the central region and in a different direction in the toe region andthe heel region. Accordingly, a player may be able to more easilyidentify the central portion and/or the center point of the width of theclub face 302. The third laser-generated feature 324C may be located atthe sweet spot to identify the sweet spot for the player.

FIG. 3F depicts another example club face having a first plurality oflaser-generated features 324A and a second laser-generated feature 324B.The laser-generated features 324 are formed as lines running in aheel-to-toe direction. Each of the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures 324A has a consistent thickness. The second laser-generatedfeature 324B is located at a center width of the club face 302 to helpthe player identify the lateral geometric center of the club face 302 toprovide more contrast on the face to help with alignment.

FIG. 4 depicts an example method 400 for manufacturing a golf club head.At operation 402, a club face for the golf club head is brushed and/orpolished. The brushing and/or polishing process provides one type ofinitial finish on the club face. The brushing and/or polishing of theface may be a mechanical process and may be performed in a horizontaldirection (e.g., in a heel-to-toe direction), a vertical direction(e.g., in a crown to sole direction), or another direction.

At operation 404, a first plurality of club-face features islaser-generated on the club face. The first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures may be any of the laser-generated features discussed above,among other possible laser-generated features. The first plurality oflaser-generated features may be a first color. The first color may begold, but other colors are also possible. The first set oflaser-generated features may cover the majority of the surface of thecentral region. In other examples, the first set of laser-generatedfeatures may cover a majority of the surface of the toe region and/orthe heel region. For example, the height-intersection coverage and thewidth-intersection coverage of the central region may be greater than90%. By covering a majority of a particular region or regions,additional contrast between the regions may be generated. In addition,contrast between other components of the club head, such as the crown orhosel, may also be generated. The first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures is generated prior to the application of a coating, such as aPVD coating. Such an order of operations is contrary to previousmethods, which generally performed any type of engraving after theapplication of a PVD. In addition, any such post-PVD engraving was on asmaller scale than what is provided by the present technology. Again,the scale at which the present laser-generated features is provided alsoprevious methods that assumed that generating such large-scale,high-coverage features with a laser would be too time consuming and theheat generation during such a process may be too high, potentiallycausing damage to the underlying product.

Laser-generating a feature on the club face may be performed through alaser-etching process, a laser-engraving process, and/or a laser-markingprocess. The laser-engraving process and laser-etching process removematerial from the face through the use of a laser beam generated from alaser source. The laser-engraving process uses high-power laser beam toheat and effectively vaporize material from the club face. In someexamples, the depth of the laser-engraved features may be between 0inches and 0.02 inches. The laser-etching process may be similar to thelaser-engraving process, the laser-etching process may cause thematerial of the club face to melt. The melted material may expand tocause a raised mark. The depth of the laser-etched features may bebetween 0.000 and 0.001 inches.

The laser-marking process may discolor the material but may not removeany of the material (or remove a very small amount of material). Thelaser-marking process may use a lower power beam to create the change incolor or discoloration of the club face. The laser-marking process maybe an annealing process, a carbon migration process, and/or a colorationprocess. The annealing process may cause an oxidation of the metal dueto the heat generated on the club face by the laser. The annealingprocess can create a darkened feature (such as a black feature) and mayalso be used to generate other color features, such as yellow, red, andgreen. The carbon migration technique cause carbon properties of thematerial to appear on the surface, creating a darker feature. Thecoloration process may change the color of the surface of the club faceto a wide variety of colors. In some examples, the coloration processmay be achieved via multiple different manners, such as laser oxidationthat produces a thin oxide film on the metal surface that create colordue to light interference occurring in the film, generatingsubwavelength nanoparticles, and/or structuring periodic gratings on thesurface, among other manners. Generating the different colors on thesurface of the club face may be based on changing the laser properties,such as laser frequency, power, speed, and/or focal distance, amongother properties.

At operation 406, a second plurality of club-face features islaser-generated. The laser-generation process may be similar to thelaser-generation process described above in operation 406. The secondplurality of laser-generated features may be any of the laser-generatedfeatures described above, among other types of laser-generated features.The second set of laser-generated features may be for a second color.The second color may be blue, but other colors are also possible. Togenerate the second color, a separate laser may be utilized, or thecharacteristics of the same laser may be adjusted. For example, thefocal length, time of exposure, and/or power of the laser may beadjusted to change the resultant color of the feature generated by thelaser.

At operation 408, a coating is applied to the club face subsequent tothe first plurality of laser-generated features and the second pluralityof laser generated features being generated on the club face. Thecoating may be a PVD coating among other types of coating. A PVD coatingmay be used to darken the club face. The thickness of the coating may beset such that the first plurality and second plurality oflaser-generated features may still be seen, at least partially, throughthe coating.

At operation 410, subsequent to the application of the coating, a thirdplurality of club face features are laser generated on the club face.The third plurality of laser-generated features may be any of thelaser-generated features described above, among other possible features.The third plurality of laser-generated features may be of the same coloras the first plurality of laser-generated features that were generatedin operation 404. Laser-generating the features subsequent to thecoating may cause the coating to be removed or vaporized by the laserbeam. Where the coating is a dark coating, such as a black PVD, thelaser-generation process lightens portion of the club face where thelaser beam is directed by removing the dark coating. At operation 412,also subsequent to the application of the coating, a fourth plurality ofclub-face features is laser-generated. The fourth plurality oflaser-generated features may be any of the laser-generated featuresdescribed above, among other possible features. The fourth plurality oflaser-generated may be the same color as the first plurality of lasergenerated features.

Subsequent to the laser-generated features being manufactured on theclub face, at operation 414, paint or another coating is added to one ormore components of the club head, such as the crown. The paint may covera portion of the laser-generated features, such as a portion of thelaser-generated features located near the crown.

Some aspects of the present disclosure are described above withreference to block diagrams. The functions, operations, and/or actsnoted in the blocks may occur out of the order that is shown in anyrespective flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession may infact be executed or performed substantially concurrently or in reverseorder, depending on the functionality and implementation involved.

This disclosure describes some embodiments of the present technologywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of thepossible embodiments were shown. Other aspects may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments were provided sothat this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed thescope of the possible embodiments to those skilled in the art. Further,as used herein and in the claims, the phrase “at least one of element A,element B, or element C” is intended to convey any of: element A,element B, element C, elements A and B, elements A and C, elements B andC, and elements A, B, and C. Further, one having skill in the art willunderstand the degree to which terms such as “about” or “substantially”convey in light of the measurement techniques utilized herein. To theextent such terms may not be clearly defined or understood by one havingskill in the art, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus ten percent.

Although specific embodiments are described herein, the scope of thetechnology is not limited to those specific embodiments. Moreover, whiledifferent examples and embodiments may be described separately, suchembodiments and examples may be combined with one another inimplementing the technology described herein. One skilled in the artwill recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within thescope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specificstructure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrativeembodiments. The scope of the technology is defined by the followingclaims and any equivalents therein.

1. A method for manufacturing a golf club head having a crown, a sole,and a club face, the method comprising: applying a coating to the clubface of the golf club head such that the coating covers a central regionof the club face, a toe region of the club face, and a heel region ofthe club face; generating, by one or more lasers, a first plurality oflaser-generated features on the central region of a club face, whereinthe first plurality of laser-generated features provides at least two ofa height-intersection coverage of the central region of at least 80%, awidth-intersection coverage of the central region of at least 80%, or asurface-area coverage of the central region of at least 25%; forming asecond plurality of laser-generated features on the toe region of theclub face, wherein the second plurality of laser-generated features aredifferent from the first plurality of laser-generated features and donot overlap with the first plurality of laser-generated features; andforming a third plurality of laser-generated features on the heel regionof the club face, wherein the third plurality of laser-generatedfeatures are different from the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures and do not overlap with the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second plurality oflaser-generated features on the toe region of the club face are spacedapart, in a heel-to-toe direction, from the first plurality oflaser-generated features; and the third plurality of laser-generatedfeatures on the toe region of the club face are spaced apart, in aheel-to-toe direction, from the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second plurality oflaser-generated features provides width-intersection coverage of the toeregion of at least 80% and a surface-area coverage of the toe region ofat least 10%; and the third plurality of laser-generated featuresprovides width-intersection coverage of the heel region of at least 80%and a surface-area coverage of the heel region of at least 10%.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures has a maximum width between about 30% to 50% of a maximum widthof the club face.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the central regionhas a maximum width that is between 30% to 50% of a maximum width of theclub face.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the second plurality oflaser-generated features on the toe region of the club face extend in aheel-to-toe direction and do not extend into the central region of theclub face; and the third plurality of laser-generated features on theheel region extend in a heel-to-toe direction and do not extend into thecentral region of the club face.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thewidth-intersection coverage of the central region by first plurality oflaser-generated features is substantially the same as awidth-intersection coverage of the toe region by the second plurality oflaser-generated features and a width intersection coverage of the heelregion by the third plurality of laser-generated features.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the width-intersection coverage of the centralregion by the first plurality of laser-generated features is at least90%.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality oflaser-generated features, the second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures, and the third plurality of laser-generated features are offsetfrom a lower perimeter of the club face by an offset distance between2-5 mm.
 10. A method for manufacturing a golf club head having a crown,a sole, and a club face, the method comprising: applying a coating tothe club face such that the coating covers a central region, a toeregion of the golf club head, and a heel region of the golf club head;generating, by one or more lasers, a first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures on the central region of a club face, wherein the firstplurality of laser-generated features provide a width-intersectioncoverage of the central region of at least 80% and a surface-areacoverage of the central region of at least 25%; forming a secondplurality of laser-generated features on the toe region of the clubface, wherein the second plurality of laser-generated features aredifferent from the first plurality of laser-generated features, do notoverlap with the first plurality of laser-generated features, and arespaced apart, in a heel-to-toe direction, from the first plurality oflaser-generated features; and forming a third plurality oflaser-generated features on the heel region of the club face, whereinthe third plurality of laser-generated features are different from thefirst plurality of laser-generated features, do not overlap with thefirst plurality of laser-generated features, and are spaced apart, in aheel-to-toe direction, from the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures; wherein the first plurality of laser-generated features createa contrast with the second plurality of laser-generated features and thethird plurality of laser generated features.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein: the second plurality of laser-generated features provides awidth-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least 90%; thesecond plurality of laser-generated features do not extend into thecentral region; the third plurality of laser-generated features providesa width-intersection coverage of the heel region of at least 90%; andthe third plurality of laser-generated features do not extend into thecentral region.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming afourth plurality of laser-generated features on the toe region of theclub face, wherein the fourth plurality of laser-generated featuresprovides a width-intersection coverage of the toe region of at least80%.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the laser-generated features ofthe first plurality of laser-generated features are lines extending inthe heel-to-toe direction.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the clubface does not include any scorelines.
 15. The method of claim 10,wherein a width of the first plurality of features is wider towards acrown-side of club face and narrower towards a sole-side of the clubface.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming, in thecentral region, a laser-generated band that is contoured to match ashape of a lower boundary of the club face, the band being offset from aperimeter of the club face by an offset distance between 2-5 mm.
 17. Amethod for manufacturing a golf club head having a crown, a sole, and aclub face, the method comprising: applying a coating to the club facesuch that the coating covers a central region, a toe region of the golfclub head, and a heel region of the golf club head; generating, by oneor more lasers, a first plurality of laser-generated features on thecentral region of a club face, wherein the first plurality oflaser-generated features provide a width-intersection coverage of thecentral region of at least 90%, a surface-area coverage of the centralregion of at least 15%, and a maximum width between about 30% to 50% ofa maximum width of the club face measured in a heel-to-toe direction;forming a second plurality of laser-generated features on the toe regionof the club face, wherein the second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures are different from the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures, do not overlap with the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures, and are spaced apart, in a heel-to-toe direction, from thefirst plurality of laser-generated features; and forming a thirdplurality of laser-generated features on the heel region of the clubface, wherein the third plurality of laser-generated features aredifferent from the first plurality of laser-generated features, do notoverlap with the first plurality of laser-generated features, and arespaced apart, in a heel-to-toe direction, from the first plurality oflaser-generated features.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the firstplurality of laser-generated features create a contrast with the secondplurality of laser-generated features and the third plurality of lasergenerated features.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:forming a fourth plurality of laser-generated features on the toe regionof the club face, wherein the fourth plurality of laser-generatedfeatures provides a width-intersection coverage of the toe region of atleast 80%; and forming, in the central region, a laser-generated bandthat is contoured to match a shape of a lower perimeter of the clubface, the band being offset from the lower perimeter of the club face byan offset distance between 2-5 mm.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein:the central region has a maximum width that is between 30% to 50% of themaximum width of the club face; the width-intersection coverage of thecentral region provided by the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures is at least 90%; the second plurality of laser-generatedfeatures provides a width-intersection coverage of the toe region of atleast 90% and a surface-area coverage of the toe region of at least 10%;the third plurality of laser-generated features provides awidth-intersection coverage of the heel region of at least 90% and asurface-area coverage of the heel region of at least 10%; the fourthplurality of laser-generated features provides a width-intersectioncoverage of the toe region of at least 80%; the laser-generated featuresof the first plurality of laser-generated features are lines extendingin the heel-to-toe direction; the first plurality of laser-generatedfeatures do not extend into the heel region or the toe region; thesecond plurality of laser-generated features do not extend into thecentral region; the third plurality of laser generated features to donot extend into the central region; and the fourth plurality oflaser-generated features do not extend into the central region.